2006 WORLD CUP - Day 14 Thread - U.S. needs win in group E finale

MLSnet.com ^ | 6-22-06 | MLSnet.com

[soccer_maniac]

The U.S. national team goes into Thursday's Group E finale against Ghana (9:55 a.m. ET, ESPN) knowing that it must come up with a win to have any chance of moving to the Round of 16.

All four teams in Group E, including the USA, still have a chance to advance. The U.S. must beat a tough Ghana side to have any chance of moving to the knockout phase. Should Bruce Arena's team be able to secure three points against the Africans, whom they meet at 9:55 a.m. ET on ESPN, they will need Italy to beat the Czech Republic in a simultaneous match, which can be seen live on ESPN2. The U.S. is not mathematically eliminated with a Czech draw or win, but will need a big victory over Ghana to avoid being eliminated on goal difference.

[Eurotwit]

Some pre-game photos.

Less than 30 minutes to kick off.

Cheers.

[dogbyte12]

England have a bit of a striker problem now though jj. Rooney goes down, and you have Crouch and Walcott. That doesn't exactly inspire fear in the world.

I think England crashes out in the quarters. Just saying.

[You Dirty Rats]

Sven should have taken Defoe.

[cartan]

I haven't seen any English chicks yet.

Here's one:

[Berlin_Freeper]

England need not fear Brazil.

USA will slay that beast next.

Then watch the world get turned on its head.

[You Dirty Rats]

England couldn't even qualify for the Hottie World Cup.

[jjbrouwer]

I think England should go for something like the Chelsea model. Before Shevchenko, we didn't really have a strong forward line and got the midfield to push forward and support them. You can certainly do this with Cole, Gerrard and Lampard.

I'm surprised Lampard hasn't scored yet but Gerrard and Cole have three goals between them.

Cole has really come into his own in this World Cup. He's been the best player in two of England's matches, not that that says much...

[Eurotwit]

Lineups.

14. Amoah, Matthew
10. Appiah, Stephen
9. Boateng, Derek
23. Dramani, Haminu
8. Essien, Michael
22. Kingston, Richard
5. Mensah, John
13. Mohammed, Habib
15. Paintsil, John
19. Pimpong, Razak
7. Shilla, Illiiasu

-

17. Beasley, DaMarcus
3. Bocanegra, Carlos
6. Cherundolo, Steven
13. Conrad, Jimmy
8. Dempsey, Clinton
21. Donovan, Landon
18. Keller, Kasey
7. Lewis, Eddie
20. McBride, Brian
22. Onyewu, Oguchi
10. Reyna, Claudio


What do you think?

[MoJo2001]

No Eddie Johnson again! I'm thinking he's still in the doghouse.

[cartan]

Hmm, I found parts of another one:

[MoJo2001]

Looks like a nice American crowd there! WOoHoo!!

[notfornothing]

Soccer?!?!

Please ... who cares?

You, apparently.

[MoJo2001]

God Bless our USMC!!
OOH RAH!!

Let's get it going!!

[Eurotwit]

More pre-game photos:

[jjbrouwer]

That American chick is a real little hottie.

[Eurotwit]

I'll take the Italian brunette :-)


Getting close to kick off.


GO USA!

[onja]

Kickoff! Hope we do decently.

[Sam's Army]

Interesting thatthe word "God" on the Ghana flag won't bring out the ACLU-types to protest.

[don-o]

Sigh. No cable - XM 148 has it on radio.

[Eurotwit]

Essien booked for tackle on Reyna. Will miss next match if Ghana advances.

A bit harsh perhaps.